Tabulating mechanism



Oct. 28,l 1952 E, L wlsE 2,615,552

TABULATING MECHANISM 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1950 ATTORNEY Oct.28, 1952 E. l.. wlsE 2,615,552

TABULATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 4. 195o 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 I N V EN TOR.ELMER L WISE BYWQJM:

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABULA'HNGMECHANISM Elmer L. Wise, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to UnderwoodCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,438

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates t typewriting machines of the class wherein thetype head or carriage is tabulated to various columnar positions uponthe depression of any one of a plurality of keys, and more particularlyto means for tabulating the carriage by power under control of the keys.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a mechanismwhich, upon the depression of certain keys, is connected with powermeans to positively operate an escapement mechanism and tabulate thecarriage.

Another object of the invention is to prov-ide a power driven escapementoperating mechanism which is operable by either a space lbar or by anyof a group of tabulator keys.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide, as a part of atabulating mechanism, a power driven escapement operating mechanismwhich is simple in construction and reliable in operation.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features of `construction and combinations of parts, theimportant elements of which are set out in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention hereinafter described with reference to the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of this description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of a machine embodying theinvention and particularly illustrating the escapement operatingmechanism occupying its normal position,

Figure 2 is a fragmental view in rear elevation illustrating theescapement in its normal or carriage movement restraining position,

Figure 3 is a fragmental detail View showing certain of the parts shownin Figure 2 inthe position they assume upon the depression of atabulator key, I

Figure 4 is a fragmental 'detail view showing certain of the parts ofFigure 1 in actuated position, and

Figure 5 is a perspective showing of the central part of the mechanismshown in Figure 1.

The invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in anElliott-Fisher Flat Platen Typewriting and Accounting machine of thetype disclosed in U. S. Patent No, 1,280,697, issued to Harry A.Foothcrap, October 8, 1918, and in U. S. Patents Nos. 2,239,023 and2,370,505, issued to Oscar J. Sundstrand, April 22, 1941 and February27, 1945, respectively, to all of which patents reference'may be had foran understanding of features of construction not fully illustrated ordescribed herein,

Such machines include, generally, a line space frame mounted for forwardand rearward movement over a flat `platen arranged to receive and hold awork piece. A type head or carriage is mounted on the line space framefor movement in letter spacing direction under the urge of a bandspring, and for return movement thereon by means of power supplied by anelectric motor. The type head or carriage includes type bar mechanismswhich, upon the depression of the usual keyboards, are selectivelyconnected with the power means to drive the types into contact with thework piece and t0 operate an escapement mechanism for advancing thecarriage letter space by letter space in the manner disclosed in thePatent No. 2,370,505 referred to. It also includes a space bar arrangedto operate the escapement mechanism in substantially the same manner asis disclosed in the Patent No. 2,239,023 previously referred to.

In the illustrated construction, the carriage structure only is shown,comprising a plate I0 on which is mounted brackets II and I2 supportingan escapement shaft I3. Rotatably mounted on the shaft I3 is a gear I4meshing with a rack I5, rigid in the line space frame (not shown). Afxedto the gear I4 is an escapement wheel I6 having teeth I1 spaced so as toprovide the desired letter spacing of the carriage. at I8 in the bracketII, normally engages the teeth II of escapement wheel I 6, as shown inlFigure 2, to position the carriage in a columnar position over the workpiece. Tabulation of the carriage is effectedv by rocking the dog I9from engagement with the teeth II- of the escapement wheel I6 as isshown in Figure 3, whereupon the carriage is free to be advanced bymeans of the band spring previously mentioned.

Mounted on the plate I0 are carriage frame members 20, one at each sidethereof, tied together by means of a top plate 2 I, Figure l, plate j 2|carrying upper frame members 22 in which is 21 to stop against theunderside of the plate 2I. Two other keys, a carriage release key 29 anda column tabulator key 3I are pivoted in the frame members 20 on shafts28 and 30' respectively.

The present invention provides means to move A, dog I9 from engagementwith the teeth II of the escapement wheel I6 by power upon the depres-'sion of any one of the keys 25, 29 and 3l.

A dog I9, pivoted The space bar mechanism The machine disclosed in theabove noted patents to Foothorap and Sundstrand includes means operatedby a space bar 35, Figures l and 5, to momentarily release theescapement dog I9 from the teeth I1 of escapement Wheel f5 to permitletter space movement ofthe typing head. In the present embodiment, thismechanism cornprises the space bar 35 mounted on a pair of arms 36connected by a yoke 31 across their rearward extension and freelypivoted on shaft 38. An-

other larm 38 pivoted on shaft 39 is connectedito:

one arm 36 by a sleeve 39 and is perforated at its forward end to engagea pin 40 xed inv one sidel of a flanged flat plate 4I also pivoted onshaft 38. The other side flange of plate 4I is forwardly extended and ispivoted at 4.2 to a link 43 connected at its other end to an arm 44pivotedon a shaft 45 and tensioned upwardly by a spring 46.

Arm 44 carries a stud 41 resting above an arm of a lever 48 pivotedadjacent arm 44 on shaft'45, the other arm of lever 48extending-upwardly intol a slotted guide 49 and being tensionedrearwardly by a spring; Lever 48 carries an arm I projecting'rearwardlytherefrom, a spring 52 connected between the lever 48 and arm 5I serv'-ing to tension arm 5I clockwise against a stud 53 on a power lever54'with a shoulder'55 of the arm 5I to the rear' of stud 53. Lever 54 issimilar to the levers for the type actions of the aforementioned patentsand carries a snatch pawl 58 pivotedv thereon for engagement with theluted power shaft 23. Lever 54 is pivotedl on' a lever 51, pivoted inturn on a wire 58, a spring 59' connected between lever 48 and lever 54normally holding lever 54 clockwise against a stop plate 68. Actuaticnof the space bar 35 will through the linkage set out rock levers 48 andA54' counterclockwise to engage snatch pawl 56 with the flut-ed shaft 23,Lever 54 will thereupon be driven downwardly rocking lever 51 about wire58 until the pawl 56 disengages from shaft 23 after which spring 59'will act to restore the parts to the position of Figure l with theexception that if the space bar 35 is retained in depressed position,stud 53 will engage the arm 5I to the rear of shoulder 55.

Connected to the forward end of lever 51 and actuated upon eachoperation of lever 54 is a link 64. Link S4 is connected at its lowerend to an arm 65 pivoted on a stud 58 screwed into the side frame 20.Arm 55 is slotted'at 6l and embraces a pin 68 of. an armA 89 on shaft 3Dto rock arm 69 counterclockwise upon each operation of lever 54. ArmSil-extends rearwardly, seeFigure 5, and is connected by a bail 18 to anarm 1I also pivoted on shaft 38. A spring 12 connected to arm 1I assistsspring59. in maintaining the parts in normalpositionas determined by theengagement offan arm 6I of` lever 59 Withastud 62 xed in the side frameK20. Arearward.. extension of arm 1I lies, under, a, collarY 13. securedto a. wire 14n operated by the universal bar upontyping. operations as,set forth inthe., noted. patents to Sundstrand Wire 14 is the.escapement operator. and, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, serves, whenraised by either the type barA mechanisms or the space bar linkage setforth, to release the. escapement dog- I9 from thetooth I1 of theesoapementwheel I6.. Wire 14 is connected at its lower endto, an arm ofa lever pivoted on plate I I, aspring 16 connected between the lever 15and dog I9 `normally maintaining thedog. in engagementwithtooth I1 andan arm of lever 15 against a stud 11 xed in plate il. A link 18connected to dog I9 and provided with a slot 19 embracinga stud 88 oflever 15 provides a one-way driving connection between the dog I9 andlever 15.

From the linkage thus far described, it will be clear that upondepression of space bar 35, lever 54 will be engaged wthzilu-ted shaft23;for a resulting downwardl movement. This downward movement istransmitted through levers 51, 95, 59'. and 'II to an upward motion ofwire 'I4 which throughlever 15 and link 18 will disengage dog I9 fromthe escapement wheel tooth I1. As soon as the` lever. 54 is free. fromshaft 23, springs 59, l2V andi 18 restore the parts to normal positionand dog: I9 into engagement with escapement wheel f5. The interval ofrelease of dog I9 is sufficiently short and the inertia of the typinghead so. great that the dog I9 will be released in ample time to engagethe next tooth Il and soholdrthes movement of the typing. head to oneletterspace.

The decimal tabulator keys The machine is provided. with a plurality,usu.-.

ally ten, decimal tabulator keys 25 to release the carriage from theescapement mechanism and to project a. stop to arrest` the carriage ina. selected positionof the next typing column. These keys 25` projectone of` a. groupof tabulator stops (not shown) in the manner set forthin V Foothorap Eatent No. 1,280,697, above, to. determine arrest of thecarriage. In prior machines4 of this type it has been the practice toconnect these keys 25 to withdraw the escapement. dog- I9 fromescapement wheel. I 5 at the same tme'that a tabulator stop wasprojected. It has been found that the forcey required inA suchwithdrawal of dog I 9 is the major load involved in operating a keyv 25.The present invention relieves key 25 ofV such load bya simple, andinexpensive connection to the above described spaceibar mechanism.

Underlyingrall of the keys 25. is a bail 84.pivoted at 85. toears 850itheplate 2I. At one side, bail 84 is pivoted to a vertical wire,81connected at its lower end to an arm of a lever 884 and at its upper endto an arm of a lever-89 pivoted on an upper side plate 22. The other armof lever 89 is connected to a sliding link 90, the forward end of whichisslotted to embrace the upper end of the space bar` lever, 48. Thus,the depression of any tabulator key 25 will Yrock the bail 84 tc moveslide. 98 forwardly and rockl leverI 48. to throw in thepower actionandto releaseescapernent dog I9 in the manner. previously described.

This operationv of thefpower action would-normally resultr inV merely aone step advance ofl the type carriage and not in a tabulating movement.Mechanism to retain the escapement dog- I9 disengaged fromltheescapement wheel I6 and so allowV freev carriage movement must thereforebe provided. This retention of esoapement dogA I9' is. controlled bylever, 88 connected tor the lower end of wire B1. As.- shown in Figures2V and 3, lever 88 is Apivoted at 9 I. tothe lower sideoff plate I5 andextends. to thefproximity of escapement dog I9.. The.V4 right end oflever 88 as viewed in these figures is` connected by a spring 92 to aslide;93.andI is provided with a bent ear 94 overlying a shoulder. on.slidev 9.5 to normally retain slide 93 depressed. Slide 93 is freelymovable vertically on the pivot. I8 of .dog I9 and on a stud 95 offrameplateII andis. notched at 98. A stud 91 on dog I9 is normallypositioned in notch 96 so that the slide 93 does not interfere with themers-,1552

normal reengagement -of` dog' I9 lwith teeth '|1 'I'he parts will remainin the positions setiout` above so long as a tabulator key 25 isretained depressed. Upon release of keyL 25 either at the tabulatedposition or earlier if desired, the upward movement of wire r81 willmove slide 93 downwardly until the notch 96 aligns with stud 91 afterwhich escapement dog I9 is free to reengage escapement wheel I9.

It is to be noted that due to the one way driving connection betweenstud 41 of arm 44 and the arm of lever 4B, operation of lever 48 by thetabulator keys 25 will not cause a motion of space bar 35 since lever 48merely moves away from stud 41.

The column tabulator key The column tabulator key 3|, Figures 1 and 5,is provided to advance the carriage directly to a desired columnprinting position, and is therefore arranged to set up a stop forpositioning the carriage in the same manner as do the decimal tabulatorkeys 25 and must also be held depressed until the carriage reaches thedesired position. Key 3|, pivoted on the shaft 39, is tensioned by meansof a spring |99 tocrock clockwise, its movement being limited by meansof a slotted bracket |9| aixed to the carriage frame 29. A link |92connects the key 3| with a lever |93 pivoted at |94 on a bracket |95secured to the plate I9. The lever |93 overlies a collar |99 secured tothe wire 81. Upon depression of the key 3|, the member |93 is rockedclockwise about its pivot |94 through link |92 to move the wire 81downwardly, and thereby actuate the power action to release dog I9 andretain it released in the same manner as when wire 81 is actuatedthrough operation of a tabulator -key 25,

The carriage release key It is desirable at times to free the typecarriage from its escapement mechanism to enable the carriage to bepositioned at a selected location. For this purpose a carriage releasekey 29 is provided. This key 29, pivoted on shaft 29, is connected towire 81 by a stud |91 on the wire engaging in a slot |98 of key 29. Thiskey 29 is not connected to move a tabulator stop into carriage stoppingposition. Depression of key 29 operates wire 81 to release and hold dogI9 disengaged as above described. The carriage may then be moved to anydesired location along the typing line without interference after whichrelease of the key 29 will allow dog I9 to reengage an escapement tooth|1 and hold the carriage in the desired position.

From the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention,it will be understood that the distinguishing feature of this inventionis the provision of a common escapement releasing mechanism for thespace bar and the tabulating keys. A further feature is that thecarriage will tabulate only so long as a tabulator key is retaineddepressed.

8 'What'is ciaimedn: 1 f l s 1.In a typewriter having a space capementmechanism, and power means controlled by said space bar to momentarilyrelease said escapement mechanism, the combination of a plurality ofkeys, means operated by each of said keys to control said power means torelease said escapement mechanism,amember yieldably connected to saidkey operated means and operable thereby to retain said escapementmechanism released, and cooperative abutments lon said key operatedmeans and said member to restore said member upon release of said keyoperated means. Y

2. In a typewriter having a1 space bar, an

escapement mechanism, power driven means to i momentarily disable saidescapement mechanism, and means operated by said space bar to controloperation of said power means, the combination of a plurality of keys,means common to said keys to actuate at least a part of said space baroperated means to cause operation of said power means, a latch member,connections from said latch member to said common means 1 and means toenable said latch member to resaid keys, means from said common means tosaid space bar connections to cause actuation of said power means uponoperation of any of said keys, a latch plate operable to retain said dogin the released position and yieldable connecting means between saidcommon means and said latch plate to move said latch plate intoretaining position when said dog is released by said power means.

4. In a typewriter or the like having an escapement mechanismvcomprising an escapement wheel and a holding dog therefor, power meansmomentarily operable to disengage said dog land said escapement wheel, amember operable to control said power means, a space bar, connectionsfrom said space bar to said member, a plurality of keys and a bailcommon to said keys,

'the combination of a connection from said bailv to said member tooperate said member upon depression of any of said keys, a latch toretain said holding dog and said escapement wheel disengaged anda'yieldable connection from said common bail to said latch to move saidlatch into retaining position upon movement of said bail Aby said keysand disengagement of said wheel and said dog.

5. In a typewriting machine or the like, the combination of anescapement mechanism, power operable means to release said escapementmechanism, a member normally engaged with a part of said power operablemeans and movable to control actuation of said power operable means,said member being thereupon disengaged from said part, a space bar,connections from said space ybar to operate said member, a plurality oftabubar; an esing position upon operation of', any of. saidv keys.

6; Inv a. typewriter or the like, a space ban a plurality of Vtabulatorkeys, an escapement meehanism, power means to, disable said escapementmechanism, means opera-ble'by said space bar or by` any of. saidtabulator keys to cause operation of saidvpower means, a. latchoperableftorretain saidlescapement mechanism disabled, and. meansoauserreleaserof said dog. from said Wheel, a latch plate normally freeof said dog and movable to a position. wherein said plate will preventreengagement of said dog with said wheel, and means common to saidtabulator keys toy yieldingly urge said latch plate into saidreengagement preventing position upon operation of any of said tabulatorkeys.

ELMER L. WISE REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe rilev of. this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,059,799 Lang Nov` 3, 19362,185,742 Thompson Jan. 2, 1940

